Article carrier with adjustably positionable bracket

ABSTRACT

An article carrier for mounting on a substantially flat exterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two slat assemblies fixedly secured to the motor vehicle surface in a spaced apart, parallel relationship. Each slat assembly has at least one longitudinal rib. At least two pairs of brackets are provided, two brackets being removably and slidably fastened to the rib of each of the slat assemblies. A locking mechanism depending from the bracket is provided for securing the bracket in a fixed position along the slat assembly by clamping the rib between the bracket and a clamping member. One rail is supported by each pair of brackets to extend transversely therebetween above the surface.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to article carriers and more particularlyto multiple rail article carriers and to adjustably positionablebrackets therefor.

Luggage racks, ski racks, bicycle carriers and similar carriers formounting to the exterior sheet metal of motor vehicles are well knownand have been disclosed in various forms. Many comprise two or morelongitudinal parallel slat assemblies fastened to the trunk or to theroof or to a similar flat exterior sheet metal surface of a motorvehicle. Two or more transverse rails are supported above the sheetmetal surface by brackets mounted to the slat assemblies. Some articlecarriers have brackets allowing adjustability of the spacing betweentransverse rails. Examples of such article carriers include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,253,755; 3,554,416; 4,099,658; 4,106,680;and 4,132,335. While such devices may function satisfactorily, someinvolve a substantial number of components and are subject to aconsiderable amount of wear, particularly where threaded members areused to lock the brackets in position.

The environment in which article carriers are used is far from ideal.They are subject to vibrations, to moisture, and to a wide range oftemperatures. Furthermore, they must endure road dirt and atmosphericcontaminants.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article carrierhaving an adjustably positionable bracket comprised of few parts. It isanother object of the present invention to provide an adjustablypositionable bracket for an article carrier in which the bracket is notsusceptible to vibrating loose or becoming loose after repeated cyclesof locking and unlocking. It is a further object of the presentinvention to provide an adjustably positionable bracket for an articlecarrier that permits rapid removal of the brackets and the transverserails when the article carrier is not in use. A still further object ofthe present invention is to provide an adjustably positionable bracketfor an article carrier in which the bracket may be reliably locked inposition with a minimum amount of effort by the operator.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an article carrier for mounting on anexterior surface of a motor vehicle. The article carrier has two slatsor slat assemblies fixedly secured to the surface in a parallel, spacedapart relationship. Each slat assembly extends longitudinally along thesurface. Each of the slat assemblies has rib means defining a track. Atleast one bracket is removably and slidably fastened to the rib means ofeach slat assembly. Preferably two brackets are provided for each slatassembly. Locking means are provided for securing the bracket inposition along the slat assembly by clamping the rib means between thebracket and the locking means. At least two transverse rails areprovided. Each rail is fastened at one end to one of the brackets on oneof the tracks and is fastened at its other end to one of the brackets onthe other of the tracks.

Preferably, each slat assembly has a longitudinal horizontal base, apair of longitudinal vertical webs extending upwardly from the base, anda pair of inwardly oriented coplanar horizontal ribs, one rib extendingfrom each of the webs to form an upwardly oriented C-shaped track.Preferably, the locking means comprises a clamping plate disposed withinthe track and a pin fastened to the clamping plate and extendingupwardly through a cavity in the bracket. A toggle arm is pivotallyfastened to the uppermost end of the pin. The toggle arm selectivelydraws the clamping plate upwardly against the ribs by means of a cammingaction between the toggle arm and the bracket or, alternatively, bymeans of a camming action between the toggle arm and the pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the articlecarrier affixed to the roof of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the article carrier of FIG. 1showing a portion of one slat assembly, one bracket and a portion of onerail;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the bracket and theslat assembly of FIG. 2 with a portion of the transverse rail cutaway;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an end cap for the slat assembly ofFIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3 showingthe toggle arm of the bracket in an unlocked, movement permittingposition;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the toggle arm of the bracketin a locked, movement preventing position;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6showing the toggle arm of the bracket in a position intermediate theunlocked and the locked positions;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are views similar to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, respectively,but depicting an alternate bracket structure according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 but showing the toggle armof the bracket in a position intermediate the unlocked and lockedpositions;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing illustrate an example of an article carrier10 according to the present invention. The article carrier 10 is mountedon an exterior sheet metal surface of the motor vehicle 12. In theillustrations, it is shown mounted on the roof 14 of the motor vehicle12. The article carrier 10 has two slat assemblies 16 and 18. The slatassemblies 16 and 18 are arranged in a parallel, laterally spaced apartrelationship and extend longitudinally along the roof 14. The slatassemblies 16 and 18 are fastened to the roof 14 for example by screws20, shown in the drawing in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows one of the slat assemblies 16 in cross-section. While thefollowing detailed description is of one of that slat assemblies 16, itis understood that the other slat assembly 18 is identical to it. Asbest seen in FIG. 3, the slat assembly 16 has a substantially flat lowermember or runner 22 and an upper member or track 24. The runner 22preferably is comprised of an extruded plastic for protection of thepainted surface of the roof 14.

The track 24 is preferably one piece and is preferably a single sheetmetal stamping of roll formed steel. The track 24 has a horizontallongitudinally extending central portion or base 26 resting upon therunner 22. Two inner webs 28 extend upwardly from the base 26. One of apair of coplanar longitudinally extending horizontal ribs 30 extendinwardly from the upper ends of each of the inner webs 28. Alongitudinal slideway cavity 32 partly surrounded by the base 26, thewebs 28, and the ribs 30 is thereby formed in the track 24. A portion 34of the sheet metal of the track 24 is bent back over itself at each ofthe ribs 30 and extends horizontally outwardly from the slideway cavity32. An outer web 36 extends downwardly from each portion 34. A pair ofgaps 37 are provided between the inner webs 28 and the outer webs 36.

A lip 38 is formed at each of the edges of the sheet metal of the track24 at the lower end of each outer web 36. Each lip 38 extends inwardlytoward the center of the track and cooperates with a pair of upwardlyextending longitudinal flanges 39 and 40 of the runner 22 to looselyattach the members 22 and 24 together. The screws 20, as shown in FIG.2, secure the track 24 to the runner 22 and secure the slat assembly 16to the roof 14.

As best seen in FIG. 1, four identical end caps 41 are provided, onebeing inserted in each end of each of the slat assemblies 16 and 18. Onerepresentative end cap 41 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The end caps 41reduce wind noise when the vehicle 12 is in motion. The end caps 41 havesome aesthetic value as well. Each end cap 41 consists of a moldedplastic unit having a rectangular base portion 42 of substantially thesame thickness as the combined thickness of the slat assembly runner 22and the sheet metal of the track 24. A pair of curved wedge-shaped sidemembers 43 and 44 extend upwardly from the rectangular base portion 42.The end cap 41 is affixed to the slat assembly 16 by means of a pair offlat snap tabs 45 and 46. Each snap tab 45 and 46 extends from one ofthe side members 43 and 44. Each snap tab 45 and 46 extends from one ofthe side members 43 and 44. Each snap tab 45 and 46 is inserted into oneof the gaps 37, FIG. 3, between the inner webs 28 and outer webs 36 ofthe track 24. The end cap 41 is thus secured to the track 24 by thescrew 20, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The end cap 41 closes the gaps 37between the webs but does not close the end of the slideway cavity 32 ofthe track 24, as is best seen in FIG. 2.

Returning to FIG. 1, two identical brackets 48 are slidably positionedalong the track 24 of the slat assembly 16. A second pair of brackets 50are slidably positioned along the track 24 of the slat assembly 18.

FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate an example of structure of one of the twobrackets 48 according to the present invention. The bracket 48 comprisesa main body 52 generally disposed above and resting on the track 24. Themain body 52 is preferably a unitary plastic molding having a pluralityof cavities described hereafter. Alternatively, the main body 52 may bemetallic die casting. The specific exterior geometric shape and thecontours of the sides 54 main body 52 are matters of design preferenceand are only of ornamental significance.

Two small tabs 56 extend downwardly from the base 58 of the main body 52into the slideway cavity 32 to keep the bracket 48 aligned with thetrack 24. Each tab 56 has a neck portion 60, as best shown in FIG. 3,disposed between the ribs 30 of the track 24. Together, the two neckportions 60 prevent the bracket 48 from being pivoted about an axisperpendicular to the track 24. Each tab 56 preferably also has anenlarged portion 62 dependent from neck portion 60 and located withinthe slideway cavity 32. The portion 62 prevents removal of the bracket48 from the track 24 except at the ends of the track.

The main body 52 is slidable along the track 24. A selectively operableclamping assembly 64 is provided to secure the bracket main body 52 inplace once it has been moved into the desired position along the track24. The clamping assembly 64 comprises a pin 66 disposed within avertical cavity 68 through the main body 52. The cavity 68 issubstantially V-shaped in longitudinal cross-section as shown in FIGS. 5and 6 and is rectangular in transverse cross-section as shown in FIG. 3.The cavity 68 terminates in a circular opening 70 at the base 58 of themain body 52. The pin 66 extends downwardly from above and through thecavity 68, through the opening 70, and into the slideway cavity 32 ofthe track 24. The pin 66 swings within the cavity 68 about the opening70 and reciprocates vertically through the opening 70.

A clamping plate 72 disposed within the longitudinal slideway cavity 32of the track 24 is mounted to the end of the pin 66. The clamping plate72 illustrated is a rectangular stamping made from spring sheet metal,preferably spring steel. The clamping plate 72 may be secured to the endof the pin 66 by means, for example, clip 74 which is stamped into theclamping plate.

A cylindrically shaped enlargement 76 is provided at the uppermost endof pin 66. The enlargement 76 comprises a short cylindrical memberhaving its longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the pin 66. The enlargement 76 and the pin 66 illustrated areformed from a single piece of metal or may be molded as a single pieceof plastic. Preferably the pin 66 is made of stainless steel.

A second and more shallow cavity 80 is provided in the main body 52above the cavity 68 and in communication with the cavity 68. The cavity80 is wider in transverse cross-section than cavity 68, thus providing ashoulder 82 on the floor of the cavity 80 on either side of the openingfor the cavity 68. A lever or toggle arm 86 mounted to the enlargement76 of the pin 66 is partially disposed within the cavity 80. An openended slot 90, FIGS. 6 and 7, is provided in the toggle arm 86 forpassage of the enlargement 76 therealong. A second open ended slot 92,as shown in FIG. 3, is provided for the passage of the pin 66therealong. The lower side of the toggle arm 86 is provided with anextension 93 defining a camming surface 94 resting on the shoulder 82 inthe cavity 80.

In operation, the toggle arm 86 is manually movable to pivot about theenlargement 76 between the extreme positions shown in FIG. 5 and in FIG.6. Due to the camming action of the camming surface 94 of the extension93, when the toggle arm 86 is pivoted counterclockwise from the positionshown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 7, the pin swings slightlyand then is urged upwardly. As shown in FIG. 6, the clamping plate 72 israised and pressed against the rib 30 of the track 24, prohibitingmovement of the bracket 48 along the track 24.

The clamping plate 72 is flexible and acts as a spring in response tothe tension exerted on the pin 66 by the toggle arm 86. The amount offorce exerted by the clamping plate 72 on the track 24 increases withthe upward displacement of the pin 66. The extension 93 is designed sothat the greatest displacement of the pin 66 and thus largest tensionforces exerted on the pin occur at the intermediate position of thetoggle arm 86 depicted in FIG. 7, thus providing a "cam over center"locking effect. A small but definite exertion is required to move thetoggle arm 86 from the extreme locked position of FIG. 6 to the extremeunlocked position of FIG. 5. The force required to raise the togglemember from the position shown in FIG. 6 to that shown in FIG. 7 issufficient to prevent accidental disengagement of the clamping plate 72and the ribs 30. Sufficient locking force is, however, provided in theposition shown in FIG. 6 to prevent movement of the bracket 48 along thetrack 24.

It should be noted that the flexible clamping plate 72 has additionaladvantages. Use of a flexible clamping plate 72 reduces the wear on theother components, particularly the main body 52 and the extension 94 ofthe toggle arm 86. Furthermore, the use of a flexible clamping platedecreases the chance that the clamp will be loosened due to vibrationsduring vehicle operation.

A third cavity 96 adjacent to cavity 80 is provided in the surface ofthe bracket 48. The cavity 96 provides a location in which the togglearm 86 is located in the locked position shown in FIG. 6. This allowsthe toggle arm 86 to be flush with the sides 54 of the main body 52 inthe locked position for aesthetic and wind noise reduction purposes. Thetoggle arm 86 does not, however, entirely fill the cavity 96. Thus,access is provided in the cavity to the end 99 of the toggle arm 86farthest from the pin 66 for unlatching the clamping assembly 64.

A tie ring aperture 100 is provided transversely through the main body52 of the bracket 48 for tie ropes or the like to secure loads to thearticle carrier.

As best shown at FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a pair of transverse rails 102 areprovided. Each rail 102 extends transversely across the longitudinalaxis of the vehicle and between the upper portions of oppositely facingbrackets 48 and 50. The means fastening the rails 102 to the bracket 48are not shown in detail in the drawing and will not be described indetail here since many appropriate fastening means are well known in theart.

As previously described, brackets 50 on the slat assembly 18 arepreferably identical to the brackets 48 on the slat assembly 16. In theevent that identical backets 48 and 50 are used, brackets 50 must bepositioned along the slat assembly 18 with the tongues 104 facinginwardly. The end 99 of the toggle arm 86 will therefore be pointedtowards the front of the motor vehicle on one set of brackets 48 andtowards the rear of the motor vehicle on the other set of brackets 50.This design is to keep to a minimum the number of different componentparts that must be manufactured and maintained in inventory.Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the brackets 50 differ fromthe brackets 48. As shown, the brackets 50 have the toggle arm 86amounted oppositely to the orientation of the toggle arm 86 on thebracket 48. Thus, as shown, the ends 99 of the toggle arms 86 and 86aare both oriented in the same direction, in this case, towards the rearof the motor vehicle 12. This design is preferable if it is desired toobtain an ornamental symmetry to the article carrier 10. Furthermore,less wind noise is created if the toggle arm faces the rear of thevehicle.

FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate still another example of structure for abracket 48' according to the present invention. The bracket 48' has amain body 52' similar to the main body 52 described above. A clampingassembly 64' includes a pin 66' disposed within a vertical bore 140 withthe lowermost end of the pin inserted into the slideway cavity 32' ofthe track 24'. A clamping plate 142 is mounted to the end of the pin66'. A horizontally disposed cylindrical member 144 is fastened to theopposite end of the pin 66'.

A toggle arm 86' is pivotally fastened to the cylindrical member 144 topivot between the extreme positions illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Aswith the clamping assembly 64 described previously, the maximum tensionforce exerted by the toggle arm upon the pin at a position of the togglearm (shown in FIG. 14) that is between the extreme positions.

As is readily apparent from the above description, the present articlecarrier has a small number of components that may be rapidly and easilyassembled and attached to motor vehicles. The brackets are not easilyvibrated loose. The toggle arm 86 and 86', the clamping plate 72, thepin 66, and the main body 52 of the brackets 48 and 48' and 50 are eachprotected against direct exposure to the environment at criticallocations. The rails may be moved closer together or farther apartdepending on the size of the article carried and then may be rapidly andreliably secured in position. Additional rails may be added as needed.Furthermore, when the article carrier is not in use, the rails and thebracket may be easily removed from the motor vehicle to prevent damageor theft and to reduce the wind noise associated with some articlecarriers when they are not carrying cargo.

The above constitutes a detailed description of the preferred embodimentof the present invention and is intended by way of example and not byway of limitation. Obvious modifications may be made within the scope ofthe appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed as novel is as follows:
 1. An article carrier formounting on a surface of a motor vehicle, said article carriercomprising two tracks fixedly secured to said surface in a spaced apartparallel relationship, a longitudinal rib extending from each track, twobrackets slidably secured to each of said tracks, two rails, each ofsaid rails extending transversely between one of said brackets on one ofsaid tracks and one of said brackets on the other of said tracks, saidrails being fastened to said brackets such as to be supported above saidsurface, a resilient clamping plate disposed adjacent to said rib, a pinfastened to said plate, said pin having at its end furthest from saidclamping plate a cylindrical member joined at right angles to said pin,a toggle arm having a linear passageway to pivotably mount saidcylindrical member, and said pin passing through said toggle arm fromsaid cylindrical member to said clamping plate, said toggle arm having acamming extension on a surface thereof in contact with the surface ofsaid bracket whereby as said toggle arm is pivoted, said cammingextension causes said toggle arm to draw said pin and urge said plateagainst said rib thereby clamping said rib between said plate and saidbracket to fixedly secure said bracket to said rib.
 2. The articlecarrier of claim 1 further comprising aligning means inhibiting rotationof said bracket about any axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofsaid slat.
 3. The article carrier of claim 1 wherein each of said trackscomprises a horizontal base, two substantially vertical longitudinalwebs and a pair of substantially horizontal inwardly facing ribs suchthat said base, said webs, and said ribs together form an upwardlyoriented C-shaped slideway having an inside and outside, said bracketbeing adjacent to both of said ribs outside of said slideway and furtherwherein said clamping means comprises a plate disposed inside saidslideway whereby when said toggle arm is selectively operated saidclamping plate simultaneously clamps both of said ribs.
 4. The articlecarrier of claim 1 wherein said toggle arm exerts a maximum amount oftension force on said pin at an intermediate position of said toggle armsuch that an exertion of force is required to move said toggle arm fromeither of the two extreme positions of its travel.
 5. The articlecarrier of claim 1 further comprising aligning means fastened to each ofsaid brackets inhibiting rotation of said bracket about any axisperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said slat.
 6. The articlecarrier of claim 1 further comprising a cavity in said bracket andwherein said toggle is disposed partly outside of said cavity in saidone extreme position and is disposed totally within a cavity in saidbracket in said other extreme positions.
 7. The article carrier of claim1 further comprising a tie ring aperture in each said bracket.
 8. Anarticle carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said pin has a threadedupper end threadably and adjustably connected to said cylindrical memberfor adjusting the distance of said clamping plate from said cylindricalmember.